Latest news with #AutomaticWeather
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness
With landslides and flash floods on the rise due to extreme rainfall events, the eastern high ranges of Kottayam are gearing up for a tech-enabled defence by installing rain gauges to establish an early warning system to improve disaster preparedness. As part of this initiative, the Wayanad-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology has begun a preliminary study to identify the most vulnerable zones within the Kanjirappally Block. According to officials, rain gauges will be installed in these areas to monitor rainfall trends and assess the risk of potential landslides and floods. 'The project also includes detailed mapping of the region, dividing it into 2.5-sq.-km grids based on rainfall data. This grid-based approach will help pinpoint disaster-prone areas and support the development of focused mitigation and preparedness plans,' they said. With precipitation levels regularly exceeding that of neighbouring regions, the Kanjirappaly region is susceptible to climate change-induced hazards. Officials have identified the hill tracts of Vagamon, Kootickal, Enthayar, Elamkadu, Koruthodu and Kanamala as priority zones where the risk of cloudbursts and landslides is especially high. A couple of weeks ago, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) joined forces to deploy an automated landslide warning system in the region. Supported by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been set up in Theekoy, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Moonnilavu panchayats, all located within the Meenachil river basin. These AWS units continuously track key environmental parameters such as wind speed, humidity, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and soil temperature. The real-time data is transmitted to servers at CUSAT, where it is analysed for early signs of potential disasters.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Mumbai receives heavy rain, Thane and Palghar on yellow alert
After a brief spell of hot and humid days, Mumbai woke up to heavy showers on Saturday morning, ushering in relief from the relative humidity levels, which had surpassed 90 per cent. Indicating that the showers are here to stay, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the city would continue to experience moderate showers alongside thunderstorms in the days to come, while Thane and Palghar have been put on yellow alert until Monday. Between 7 am and 10 am, the weather bureau issued at least three nowcast warnings in the metropolis stating the likelihood of 'thunderstorms with lightning, moderate rain and gusty winds'. Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Automatic Weather Station showed that between 8 am and 9 am, the heaviest rain was recorded in the western suburbs where areas like Bandra recorded 20 mm rain in an hour followed by Juhu at 16 mm rain, Marol at 13 mm while Aarey and Goregaon areas received 11 mm rain. Meanwhile, in the island city division, the Malabar Hills area, besides other parts near Nair Hospital, received 14 mm of rain. In the eastern suburbs, Kurla and Powai received 12 mm of rain. On Friday, after a drizzle, Mumbai experienced cloudy skies throughout the day with the maximum temperatures surpassing 34 degrees in the suburbs as well as the island city division. With the rains eluding the region, the humidity levels touched 92 per cent in the Colaba observatory by Saturday morning, which is over 13 per cent above the normal, leaving citizens sweltering. However, relief was ushered in after 7 am, as several pockets of Mumbai as well as neighbouring districts experienced heavy rainfall for over an hour. According to IMD records, in the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Saturday, the Colaba coastal observatory logged 8 mm. In its forecast bulletin, the IMD has said that Mumbai would continue to receive pre-monsoon showers with thunder activity for the next week, which are also forecast to spur a dip in temperatures. Neighbouring districts like Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, amongst other parts of the state, meanwhile, have been placed under a yellow warning until Monday.
